Aug. 4, 2016 By Charles Goldberg
AuburnTigers.com
AUBURN, Ala. - Auburn's Carl Lawson is on the watch list for a national award that honors the top defensive end in college football.
Lawson was named to the Ted Hendricks Award list Thursday.
Lawson is looking for a complete year, after missing the 2014 season with a knee injury and after being limited to six games last year after injuring a hip. He had 17 tackles, but his ability to rush the passer has earned him preseason accolades.
Lawson is also on the watch list for the Bednarik Award, which honors college football's best defensive player and the Bronko Nagurski Trophy, which is another top defensive award.
Auburn is asking him to be a team leader.
"It's an honoring role, a great role. It helps build team chemistry when you have strong leadership and when you spread that to a room full of people you get a bunch of a champions," Lawson said.
The Hendricks Award recognizes the top defensive end for "on-field performance, exceptional winning attitude, leadership abilities, contributions to school and community and academic preparedness."
The winner will be announced Dec. 7.
Charles Goldberg is a Senior Writer at AuburnTigers.com. Follow him on Twitter: Follow @AUGoldMine